Chapter 24 - A paladin's strength

The sight of Ace with one paladin sword on both hands and a bright halo under his feet slightly gives Muzan some frights.

"I advise you to kill me if you can as soon as possible, if not your friend there will lose..." Muzan said as his hair became white and grow longer. black marks filled his body.

Mouth started to appear all over his body as both of his hands turn into white crab pincer-like swords.

Because of the sudden transformation, Muzan's clothes exploded to pieces showing his muscular but lean body.

"Please, wait a minute!" Ace requested as he removes his black haori, "It's already has a long cut on it, I can't tolerate damaging it more."

Muzan releases his demonic aura, "I'm gonna torture you insect."

"Hahahaha Master is angry you might want to help your friend there," Akaza provoke the Injured Mitsuri.

"I trust Ace-san, All the Hashira do, that is why he is sent to this mission, he will be humanity's savior," Mitsuri said, at first she had a doubt on Ace's capability but when she saw him turning a demon into a human, right there she knew that Ace must be sent here solely for helping humanity.

Suddenly a yellow ball of healing shot towards Mitsuri's direction.

Akaza send multiple shockwave attacks using his fist to destroy the energy but it didn't work

The light successfully hit Mitsuri, healing all of her wounds.

'You didn't have to do that Ace-san, I know you are running low too, but I guess I need to win this fight now,' Mitsuri innerly smiled as she uses her breathing to the fullest.

Boom!

Suddenly A weird human figure comes crashing into the houses making Mitsuri and Akaza wide eyes because that figure is Muzan.

Ace landed beside Mitsuri and said, "Eh? what are you still doing here? Leave this place together with Mukago, call backup if you can."

"What do you mean Ace-san? The barrier..." Mitsuri didn't finish her words because the dome of blood cracked like glass and got destroyed.

Ace manages to destroy the barrier using his remaining ball of lights from the prayer of sympathy.

He infuses one of his swords with the remaining balls and throws it to the barrier before making the transformed Muzan fly towards the houses.

"I won't let you escape!" Akaza said as he pounces towards Mitsuri's direction.

"Two down," Ace quietly said as he slices Akaza's neck like butter in mid-air.

Ace's sword is made of energy, although not healing energy, it still can stop the demon's regeneration.

Meaning Akaza has no chance of regenerating his head no matter how hard he tried.

"Mitsuri listens, as of now, I am not sure if we can beat Muzan together, What I am sure about is if I died he will kill you easily, so escape here," Ace looks at Mitsuri's eye then continue, "Okay?"

"No, we have a better chance if we work together," Mitsuri insists.

"You will get in my way, Escape with Mukago now! I will take this battle away from the town," Ace said as he felt Muzan appeared in front of him attempting to swing his blade at him.

Because of Ace's passive detection, he easily dodges the swing and grabs Muzan's neck, and takes him towards the forest to avoid human casualties.

Mitsuri clutches her fist because of how weak she is but, she doesn't want to make this harder for Ace.

She goes towards Mukago's location

Mitsuri grabs Mukago's waist then dash away from the area.

"Mitsuri-chan? What is happening..." Mukago questions just as she finished tying almost all of the people from the town (She doesn't move those who already far away from the battle.)

"We are retreating and calling for backup," Mitsuri said as she continues to carry Mukago.

"What about Ace-sama?" Mukago questioned.

Mitsuri didn't answer making Mukago realize the situation.

"Nooooo! Let go of me, we cannot abandon Ace-sama," Mukago struggle but Mitsuri tighten her hold.

Because of Mukago's sheer strength, Mitsuri's arms are making cracking sounds but she still won't let her go.

"Mukago-chan, Ace-san is battling for humanity, we will just get in his way...the faster we are to call backup, the greater his chance of living," Mitsuri said with an unusual sad tone.

Mukago realizes what Mitsuri has said, "Let me go, I am faster than you in running because I am used to it."

Mitsuri let Mukago go as Mukago dash towards the headquarters leaving a trail of dust.